Code of Practice relating to Admission of Children under the Mental Health Act 2001

We published a Code of Practice on the Admission of Children under the Mental Health Act 2001 in 2006. This code applies to all approved centres that admit young people under 18 years of age for care and treatment.

We subsequently issued an addendum to this code of practice in July 2009. The purpose of this amendment was to clarify our views on the admission of children pursuant to the Mental Health Act and to put in place additional safeguards for children that are admitted to adult units

We are currently reviewing this Code of Practice in light of the High Court Decision HSE v M(J) and P(R), Birmingham J, (January 2013).